War Arc:
Chapter 48: The Confession
Tatsuya Suou
Xibalba
The scene continued.
The last time he was here, he swore he saw Naoya near the ray of light at the center of the Seven Sister High. His earring was impossible to miss in a dark place.
He was sure. Even from the back, he recognized Naoya's figure. And yet, he doubted his existence here in Xibalba. Naoya was never supposed to be here. This dream didn't make sense.
Finally, Naoya turned around and glanced at him. Upon seeing his face, Tatsuya widened his eyes in shock. Dirt and blood destroyed any trace of peace from him, replaced by a powerful gaze of a man who battled through countless battles.
But that's not all.
His eyes were blood rage.
"What did you do?" Naoya asked. Tatsuya wanted to reply, but his voice failed to respond. His body won't listen to him.
"I know you're not the real Tatsuya."
...What? What is going on?
Before he could understand his words, Naoya gripped his collar.
"Did you send it to him? The memory?!"
Tatsuya Suou
Cloudy – Morning – 27/11/2012(Tuesday) – Suou Residence, Konan, Sumaru City
(3 days before War's arrival)
He found himself sleeping on the sofa, probably too exhausted from yesterday's work. He was sweating from experiencing the dream sequence of Xibalba, but he let it slid for now.
Maya was still at the hospital, but hopefully, she should be able to leave by today.
However, he still couldn't forget last night event. Seeing as his phone was dead, it took a few moments for Lisa's message to went through him after he charged it. He wondered how Matsuya was able to go for a dinner with Lisa in the midst of that moment. From his deduction, he assumed that Matsuya personally called her due to fear of being left alone in the house, but Matsuya did not personally speak to him, and he arrived home late because he had to handle everything in the hospital.
Glancing at the morning sun, Tatsuya approached Matsuya's room to wake him up for school. Usually, it was Maya's routine, though he did it himself on a certain occasion. It was when he reached for the doorknob that he remembered.
Matsuya was at Lisa's house.
"What the hell am I doing?" Tatsuya muttered to himself, slamming his head on the door. Just days ago that the house was filled with life. But now, the house was empty, minus the sound of vehicles outside. It was truly a drastic change, something he never expected to happen.
Without taking a shower, Tatsuya left the house and made his way to Lisa's residence.
No, he should go the school. Lisa must be there.
Because of his urgency, he overlooked the mailbox, something that Maya always did in his state.
Aigis
Cloudy – Morning – 27/11/2012(Tuesday) – Police Headquarter, Konan, Sumaru City
(3 days before War's arrival)
The photographers immediately swamped the figure that exited the building with cameras and microphone fighting to reached his lips. Amidst the situation, Takaya Sasaki smiled diligently as he should and greeted the cameras.
Due to the backlash from the public, Takaya Sasaki was released from prison as promised. The police are powerless against the overwhelming number of people rallying for his salvation.
"I thank you to everyone who was willing to stand by me on this historical moment," Takaya said to the camera, "I assure you, I will bring salvation on the suffering of the people. All you had to do is lend your hands to me."
He was worshipped.
That was on Aigis' mind as she watched the scene from afar. Mitsuru wanted, just for a split second, glanced at the bastard's face. Aigis volunteered to be the eye for her.
"Are you seeing this, Mitsuru-san?"
"Of course. I never expected this much support for him. What a cunning man…"
"Anything you want me to investigate?"
"No, return to the base. Akihiko had just retrieved the document from Miyashiro a while ago. Don't let yourself be seen."
Aigis quietly turned away from the scene and left for the base. It was impossible, she was sure of it now, to convince the people of Takaya's true nature. A 'holy' place for him was already on standby for him to heal the patients of the strange disease.
For now, she just had to hope that the trace of Sho Minazuki won't be lost permanently.
Naoya Toudou
Cloudy – Morning – 27/11/2012(Tuesday) – Kirishima's residence, Sumaru City
Truth to be told, Naoya wanted to escape the house before Eriko could wake up. Unfortunately, Eriko woke up way earlier than he expected, added that his struggle yesterday forced him to sleep longer than he commonly did. When he woke up, Eriko was already in the kitchen cooking some breakfast with aromatic smell.
"Naoya, you sleep like a dead man," Eriko said from the kitchen when she heard Naoya yawning.
"How long was I asleep?" Naoya said, before reaching for his watch and read the time, "What the hell? It's 9! You should wake me up earlier!"
"But I did, twice actually. But you're snoring at me instead."
"Oh, my bad. What about you? Don't you have work?"
"I ask for a leave, seeing as I had to take care of a certain someone."
"Hey, don't say it like that. You're the one who wanted me to stay."
"I don't mind it, honestly. Enough talking, go take a shower. I hope you don't hate olive."
Naoya took a quick shower, seeing he planned on finding another base for him to hide. True, hiding in Eriko's house seemed to be the best option, but he couldn't risk her safety. The most important is to ensure both his and Eriko's survival.
"She really loves you, you know that?"
Maki's voice echoed through his memory. He knew Eriko won't accept it, but this matter was beyond discussion.
He exited the bathroom, searching for his single pair of clothes when he stumbled upon an unopened piece of small letter near the house phone. It interested him since it was wax sealed with parchment color and heart shaped design. It was also hidden beneath the stack of fashion books. Of course, this would mean it was private and secretive, but Naoya couldn't hold his curiosity when he glanced at the name of the address. With a tiny force, he pulled the letter to see the name.
"...To me?" Naoya whispered upon seeing his own name. Heart shaped wax seal, address to him, what could it be? He slid it more out of the book stacks and saw it was from Eriko herself.
"AAH!"
Out of nowhere, Eriko jumped from the back with a shout and snatched the letter from Naoya. She was mad, from her expression, that she didn't speak a word until the dumbfound Naoya spoke first.
"I... think I saw my name as the receiver-"
"No, it's not!"
Eriko quickly pushed away Naoya to another room and sent his yesterday shirt to him.
"Change your clothes! You're still in a bath towel!"
"Wait, what about the letter-"
He was shoved into the room without receiving his answer.
Outside, Eriko panted her breath and clutched the small letter in her hand tightly, but careful not to wrinkle it. Her face was red when she sighed in relieve.
"Not yet... Can't let him read this yet..."
Afternoon - Police Department, Konan
"A church?" Katsuya said when he received the reports from Shiori, "They're seriously let him take the church as his new home?"
It was a busy morning in the police department, moreover with Takaya being release from the prison. Katsuya didn't sleep a wink last night, due to pressure from works keeping him awake. He didn't return home, seeing as the folders pilling up in his office was extremely urgent to be completed. Of course, the majority of it was related to Takaya.
"They say it's easier for him to 'heal' the victims. Hundreds of people had already lined up outside that place. Cars can't go there due to traffics, and-" Shiori words were interrupted by Katsuya.
"Where is this church again?"
"At the north of Aoba."
"Okay…" Katsuya paused, planning something before he continued, "Find everything you can about this church. Spy for any sign of Sudou."
"Where will you be?"
"I had a meeting with someone from Koukai Ward, so I'll be out for a while," Katsuya said before examining Shiori's dressing, "Need to be somewhere too?"
"Yes," Shiori answered swiftly, "The rumormongers you sent, Kuzunoha Agency, detected the base of Babylon's cult this morning."
"Fast and swift. That's what I wanted to hear. I trust that I can count on you?"
"Leave it to me."
After filling out the little details at the office, Katsuya exited the department and lighted his cigarette. 3 more days before War's apparent awakening, according to Jun's word. There must be something that can be done to help Maya. Even now, he found it hard to believe that Tatsuya will be the 'vessel'.
"Hahhh... Are we really progressing?" Katsuya sighed, watching the street and the people who appeared gloomier than usual, due to the many incidents that happened around the city. Ironically, Takaya was the only subject that brought them peace and a sense of assurance.
After finishing the cigarette, Katsuya made his way to Koukai ward.
Tatsuya Suou
Morning - Koukai School, Koukai
Lisa was waiting by the gate when she saw Tatsuya walking towards him. The number of parents sending their kids were fairly high, but it still allowed them to spare some space to talk. Lisa kept a spare of clothes in case Matsuya needed to sleep at her house, something that she prepared ever since the prophecy began.
"Matsuya; was he…?"
"He's fine, just a bit shocked about what happened to his mother. Don't worry, he's already inside," Lisa replied, thumbing at the school.
"Lisa, I don't how to thank you enough for what you did..." Tatsuya bowed, "Maya... she can't hold it. I don't know why the sudden depression, but she's harming herself. What should I do? With Matsuya here..."
"Hey, Tatsuya..."
He was a bit surprised when Lisa suddenly gripped his hand, "Don't worry, I'm here for you."
Hearing Lisa's reassuring words brought some hope to him. He gently let go of Lisa's hand and once again nodded.
"Thank you, and..." Tatsuya glanced at his watch, "I need to be away right now. I know, I'm too busy. Can you tell Matsuya that I'm sorry?"
"I'll pass him that message. I hope you don't mind if I visit Maya at the hospital."
"I would be glad if Maya receives some company."
He left for work, leaving Lisa's behind for her own destination. Soon, a familiar face entered the scene, which turned out to be Eikichi and a young girl she had never seen before.
"Quick! The bell's gonna ring!"
"Give me a moment!"
Eikichi and Mia reached the front gate, where Mia hurriedly got off the bike Eikichi rode and entered the school. Due to Eikichi's schedule clashed terribly with Mia, he woke up too late for Mia's school. Mia had to rush her shower and took only a few pieces of bread for breakfast.
'So this is what it's like to have kids...' Eikichi thought as he watched Mia left the scene before disappeared behind the building. He needed to work again today, but without Miyabi, perhaps he needed a temporary worker for a few days. There are workers in his restaurants, but Miyabi's role in their business was huge. Obviously, a trainee would not help much, but an extra hand should be alright.
"Who is she?"
A voice interrupted his thoughts. He shifted his attention to the female voice and saw a friend.
"Lisa? I thought Tatsuya was the one who sent Matsu-kun to school. Was he THAT busy?"
"I guess. I bet you haven't heard what happened to Maya."
Eikichi seemed so shocked to hear the story that he almost cursed.
"Are you kidding me?! She attempted suicide?! Holy crap! I hope Matsu-kun is okay. I can't imagine the trauma he felt after that," Eikichi commented, "Maybe Mia-chan can cheer him up."
"Mia-chan?"
"Oh, you didn't know."
After chatting for a while, Lisa and Eikichi agreed to visit Maya together.
Aigis
"Is it possible for us to meet this woman, Maya Suou?" Aigis asked the members in the room. Mitsuru had just read the brief report about Sho Minazuki's case, and they tried to make a lead from this single report alone.
"I believe Suou has prohibited us from such attempt," Mitsuru, sitting at the corner of the simple room, said, "And he had warned us that this report does not provide anything."
"So, what should we do?" Akihiko asked as he glanced around. Koromaru merely whim obediently next to the door. Junpei looked clueless as what to do, while Aigis couldn't provide a proper answer.
"I never wanted to suggest this, but..." Mitsuru suddenly began. All eyes locked on her to give her next order. Eventually, Mitsuru gave an unbelievable idea.
"How about we asked the man who's related to him? Takaya Sasaki."
"That's nuts!" Junpei objected, disagreed with the idea instantly, "Cameras literally follow him anywhere! Nobody leaves his side even per sec! We'll never get even 10 meters close to him without exposing ourselves!"
"Then how about a making a rumor?" Mitsuru suggested, "Seeking a rumormonger, to be exact. Rumormongers is a big career in the city. We request someone to spread a rumor about us being able to slip past Takaya's defense. Then, we can use it to find out any information about Sho Minazuki. There's one contact who may help us. I will be meeting him soon."
Although she and the rest of the team nodded, Aigis wasn't sure if she's the first to notice Mitsuru's suggestion. Mitsuru had always been a step ahead of them in planning, but to reach this extent is too incredible to be called 'usual'. When the meeting dispersed, she saw Akihiko went to her and asked "Where did you get this idea?" to know the truth.
The only thing she heard from Mitsuru's mouth was 'from the dream' before she quickly changed the subject.
Morning - Koukai Ward
"Whisperer of Darkness... Ghost Girl Missing from Koukai Ward... Ghost woman following Messiah's shadow... Hmmm, not many interesting rumors..."
Finding some spare time outside the office, Katsuya read through the latest rumors in the city but failed to see anything useful on the internet. He tapped his feet repeatedly, due to being held over ten minutes by the assistant in charge.
Eventually, a woman in her 20's called him out and guide him into a luxurious office. He steeled his manner and entered but failed to see anyone presence.
"Please wait here, he is on his way," The assistant said and bowed before leaving the room. True to her words, one of the head developers of Koukai Ward entered the room.
Katsuya's first impression of him was bitter. It was not his white outfit that exposed the oddness of his mannerism, but his deadly one eye that seemed to observe Katsuya's every movement. His other eye was... white? He was half blinded. He wasn't young, but not old enough compared to what he had in mind.
"Greetings. I am honestly surprised to see that it was one of the famous Suou Devils who wanted a meeting with me," The man commented happily before introducing himself, "My name is Ame Hitoshi. Please to meet you."
"Katsuya Suou, but I guess you already know me," Katsuya shook his hand and sank down to the wooden chair prepared for him.
"Need something to drink?"
"No, thank you. I'm a busy man. So, I rather get straight to the point," Katsuya began, "You are the head -I'm sorry- one of the head developers of Koukai Ward. That should be correct?"
"To call me with that title..." Mr. Hitoshi smiled, "I merely organized and funded the project rather than building the housing area. I did suggest a few ideas to the architects to achieve some main attractions to the ward in order to attracted people."
"Main attraction? Oh, you mean the aquarium?"
"I had plans to expand something else; maybe amusement park, or scuba diving area. But the idea fell short and I just keep it at that."
"What's stopping you from making such improvement?"
Mr. Hitoshi paused for a while.
"I guess I just lost interest."
"Oh..." Katsuya voiced out at the plain answer before changed the subject, "Alright. Let go to the main topic. I wonder if it's possible for you to show me a full landscape of the ward map?"
"Don't the map from the satellite should be enough?"
"Not the map I want."
"Then what could you possibly wanted?"
"Something personal. No asking beyond that."
"Then an object? Is there a hint?"
"Let's see... How about 'the biggest blue stone'?"
Katsuya immediately detected the change in Mr. Hitoshi's face. But afterward, his face returned to normal.
"I haven't had the faintest idea," Mr. Hitoshi replied. Katsuya, naturally, never let this slide.
"Do you know how long I've been a detective? More than 10 years. I'm not a lie detector, but I can tell if someone keeps a secret."
Hitoshi appeared disrupted and annoyed by the sudden approach. After a long pause, he left the table as he reached for something near the cabinet on Katsuya's left. He took out some paper rolled into a long rod and approached the table where Katsuya was.
"This is the map of the Koukai Ward," He unrolled the map and spread open the layout, in 3 dimensional, of the entire ward. It was the first for Katsuya to see such an elaborate structure.
It took Katsuya, watched by Mr. Hitoshi, several minutes to read the layout before he gave a small scream.
"Wait, this shape...!"
It was the layout of the Koukai Aquarium Center. From the outside, its structure was curvy and cubic, but when seeing the entire layout, including the engine room and filter room, the entire structure was shaped like a diamond.
"The 'biggest blue stone' is the entire aquarium itself!" Katsuya concluded, "I didn't notice because they exclude the underground room!"
"Nobody should notice, supposedly," Mr. Hitoshi said, "We designed it perfectly to symbolize that place as our 'blue stone'. Nobody should have known about it in this ward, especially mentioned it."
All of a sudden, the room became tense when Ame Hitoshi's eyebrows curved.
"Who told you about that? The 'biggest blue stone'?"
"...It is our private information," Katsuya calmly responded, trying to gain the upper hand in the conversation while at the same time studying for the last piece of the puzzle, the 'X' mark.
"Suou-san, if you can know when someone kept a secret, so can I," Mr. Hitoshi palmed his hand on the map, "All I ask is who told you? Was it a man with a scarred face?"
"Scarred face..." Katsuya swore he heard that description before, then he realized it immediately as he backed away, "You know him. You know Takahisa Kandori."
"I don't think 'know' is the right word," He explained, "He came to me one day, ten years ago, asking me to design something for him. In return, he labored a massive fortune to me and to this project. I was the only one who heeded his words."
"What did he say?"
"He wanted to hide 'something'; something that no one will ever trace, no matter how hard. The structure of the aquarium was built on that idea. I, of course, honored that request and asked nothing about the thing he wanted to keep."
"Did he say anything else?"
Mr. Hitoshi pointed an index finger at him.
"He said someone will come and get it. I never expect it to be you. For him to tell you..."
"No, it wasn't him. It was his lover, Chizuru, who told me. It was her last word."
Mr. Hitoshi appeared to be in deep thought. Katsuya was no exception. He expected a clue but received another unexpected one. Did Kandori know Chizuru would tell someone about his diary? Was it because he wanted someone to read his diary? Perhaps he wanted Chizuru to read the diary herself? What's the secret so important that he had to lock it for ten years?
"Do me a favor," Ame Hitoshi finalized his words, "Tell no one of this conversation between us. You may keep the things he buried but mention nothing of his involvement in this project. He specified that promise."
"I won't promise, but I will try," Katsuya said.
Having the copy of the aquarium map in hand, Katsuya rushed immediately to the aquarium again.
"Damn, Kandori," Ame Hitoshi said after Katsuya left the room, "If Katsuya was late by a few more days, that thing would be lost forever..."
Maya Amano
Cloudy - afternoon - Nanjo's memorial hospital, Sumaru City
"Come in."
Maya invited the one knocking at the door to enter. It was Hidehiko, carrying himself with a walking stick, entering the room sluggishly while catching his breath.
"I did not expect you to be here, at all," Hidehiko commented, sitting on a chair next to her, "Holy hell, look at that bandage on your hand. What's wrong with you?"
"I had a lot of issues," Maya responded sadly, "I'm sorry for worrying you guys."
"Well, not to say it's a good thing, but I'm glad there's someone to talk to. Reiji visited just now, but he had to rush back. I heard his kid is starring in a theater soon."
"Really? That's amazing. I wondered when Matsuya-kun will appeal to the people like that?"
"Chill! Give him time! Boys his age can grow really fast in a blink of an eye! Who knows if next time you see him, he'll be running around on stage like me!"
"Haha, Matsuya-kun wasn't like that," Maya giggled at his statement. It's been a long time since she laughed naturally. Last night left a deep mark on her mind.
When she reminiscing last night event, poor Tatsuya. What has she done? Why couldn't she think properly before making that decision? She hurt him again without she realized it.
"Ops. You have a new guest!" With a clown like voice, Hidehiko walked to the door and shouted to the guest, "The room's full, come back tomorrow!"
"Move it, Hide-san! Old friends visiting!" Eikichi's voice was heard before he entered. Next to him was Lisa, bringing with her some fruits before placing it on the small table next to Maya.
Maya was a bit surprised that they came visiting, but knowing Tatsuya, he probably told them as soon as he could.
"Eikichi, Lisa," Maya greeted them, "Thanks for coming. Honestly, I don't want you to see me in this state."
"You look 'refreshing' to me," Eikichi responded.
"What he means is, you look okay," Lisa corrected him.
The three of them stayed in her room for a while. She wasn't surprised to hear that Takaya had been released from prison, due to his immense popularity. She was more surprised by Lisa willingness to take care of Matsuya in her absence, which she thanked her repeatedly for it. Hidehiko was still not permanently exiled from his career, while Eikichi had been taking good care, but with extreme difficulty, of Mia Kaneda as a 'father figure'.
Soon, Hidehiko left to his room, while Eikichi visited another room, seeing as he needed to visit Miyabi again. Only Lisa was left in a room, where they talked for a while before, like a wind changing, Lisa suddenly opened a serious conversation.
"Matsuya-kun is a good boy, you know?" Lisa said.
"I know. If only he was more open, then I'm sure many will like him."
"But the poor child," Lisa rested her chin on her hand, "If only the prophecy didn't happen, I'm sure you two could spend more time with him."
"Yes, that is unfortunate," Maya lowered her head in shame, admitting that she caused many troubles for Matsuya since the beginning of the prophecy. However, Lisa wasn't done.
"But that's just the beginning, right?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"You know what I'm talking about. You, being a 'sacrifice'."
That word sent chills down her spine.
"A sacrifice... I wondered if I can see Tatsuya and Matsuya-kun again. It sounds worse than death."
"That's why I said poor Matsuya-kun. How is he going to cope with the loss of his mother?"
Upon those words, Maya began to tremble at that possibility of Matsuya being a lonely child, being raised with no love from his mother.
"T-Tatsuya will find a way."
"I know, but I'm talking about 'what if'? How you considered that, Maya-san?"
No. Maya never thought about that possibility. Lisa continued.
"I hope Tatsuya can take care of him. But... you realize how spoiled Matsuya-kun can be sometimes? I mean..."
Stop.
Stop already.
She didn't want to hear the next word. She's scared.
'Don't say it. Don't say it. Don't say it. Don't say it. Don't say it. Don't say it...'
She felt Lisa's tone changing.
"I mean, Matsuya-kun needs a mother, right?"
...
She won't be here forever for him. She had no time left. Matsuya will lose his mother.
Matsuya will have no mother. That future existed.
"Don't worry," Lisa's voice interrupted her thoughts, "I can take good care of him."
Lisa's hands held Maya's trembling hands gently before she let go. By the time she came to her sense, Lisa had already left the room. Maya observed her trembling hand and clenched her face.
"Matsuya-kun... will grow up... without his mother? No... No..."
She found herself on the verge of breaking down, and there's nothing she could do to stop it.
Tatsuya Suou
Evening - Nanjo's memorial hospital
If he was a bit earlier, maybe he could catch his wife in action as she cried herself dry. The moment Tatsuya visited Maya again, her eyes were deep red, swollen mark visible around her eyes. She tried to hide it when he entered, but she knew it wasn't enough to fool him.
"What happened?"
"Oh, don't worry. I'm just a little emotional."
"A 'little' clearly isn't the right word," Tatsuya sat next to her, "What's on your mind?"
"...I just..." Maya bit her tongue, "I just think a lot about what would happen to Matsuya when I'm gone."
"Ah..." Tatsuya didn't deny that part but still resolved himself, "Matsuya won't lose his mother. I make sure of that."
"What if you didn't make it? 'What if'? Matsuya can't take care of himself, not yet."
"I don't want to think of that possibility. Matsuya can be stronger, I can be stronger-"
"But it will be harsh for him!" Maya half screamed, "I don't want him to be raised like that."
"Maya, I won't abandon him. You know that!" It was Tatsuya's turn to raise his voice for the sake of calming his wife, "Or is there something else?"
Maya stared at him with lonely eyes, begging him to listen.
"Lisa is a good woman."
He was surprised to hear that name in their conversation.
"What's Lisa have to do with this?"
"Lisa is a very good woman. She takes care of Matsuya like her own child. Matsuya needs a mother. I can rest assure if she's the one Matsuya have. So, if I'm gone... Can you take Lisa-"
He knew what she wanted to say. It did not stop his heart from boiling.
"Maya, stop!"
Tatsuya screamed as he clenched her shoulder.
"Maya, this conversation is over."
"B-But, I haven't finished-"
"I know what you're trying to say, and the answer is no. Not in a thousand years, not in a million years will I take another woman after you!"
"Then do it for Matsuya!" Maya grabbed his shoulders, "Don't do it for me, do it for Matsuya, our son! Don't let him... *sob* ...Don't let him feel abandoned... Just take Lisa, just take her, for Matsuya to have a mother..."
He could hear something cracking when she sank her head on his shoulder. The pain was immeasurable. Was it her heart or his heart cracking?
"Don't say that… Don't say that…" Tatsuya gently comforted Maya, stroking her frayed hair softly. Maya released herself from him when she finally quieted down.
"I have a confession to make."
Maya stated. The color in her eyes changed, "I don't think I'll be at peace until I tell you this secret I've been hiding from you all this time."
A secret? What was the secret?
"You're not supposed to remember me, because you from the 'other side' is no longer here. So, no matter how much we crossed paths, we're nothing but strangers. That's what everyone said."
"Of course, but I had that Déjà vu, where I feel like we know each other for a long time. Even when we're far away, I remembered you. That's my true feelings."
"No."
Maya shook her head.
"No, Tatsuya. It was a lie."
"...What?" Tatsuya's eyes widened before Maya continued.
"You didn't remember me because of your subconsciousness. You remember me because I made you remember."
"...I… I don't understand... What do you mean? How?"
He could see Maya gripped her hands tightly to suppress the pressure she felt.
"I break my promise. My own promise, to keep myself away from you; I break it, causing you to remember me. I put myself in this mess by making you remember."
"That's not possible. I DON'T remember about the 'other side', I merely feel like I've known you for a long time. You can't possibly do anything."
"But I did..." Maya replied, "At your graduation day, I came to your school."
Tatsuya widened his eyes. The photo that he saw at the bathroom, where Maya nearly cut her own wrist; his graduation photo?
Was it why she cut herself? Because she remembered something guilty about the graduation day?
"You... came... at that time?"
Sunny - Morning - ?/3/2001 - Seven Sister High, Rengedai, Sumaru City
(11 years ago)
"Tatsuya-san!"
Eikichi, dress in his Kasugayama uniform, entered the school gate and greeted Tatsuya, unashamed by the stares of other students who watch a student from the rivaling school entering their ground. Followed from behind him was Jun Kashihara, who appeared delighted to see Tatsuya in the midst of the gathering crowd.
"Uh... you are?" Tatsuya was adjusting his school uniform to ensure that Eikichi didn't mistake him for someone else.
"What?! you didn't recognize me? The top dog in Kasugayama, Eikichi "Death" Mishina! And you, Suou boy, are my rival!"
"Please forgive his manner," Jun apologized, "We came to visit, seeing as you help us a lot in the past."
"...I'm sorry, but I don't remember you," Tatsuya responded mannerly, "See, I lost my memories for some period of times, so I don't remember much about what happened. Maybe you met me before, but..."
Eikichi and Jun turned to each other with a blank stare before turning to him with a smile.
"Well, don't sweat it!" Eikichi said, "We can just start over. But you and I are going to have a match before that!"
"We are not here to fight, Mishina," Jun intercepted before Eikichi could take another step forward for a duel, "We are here visiting as a friend."
"Hey! Are you trying to bully him?"
Another voice entered the group. From behind Tatsuya, a girl, his junior, slipped past him. It was the school idol, Lisa Silverman.
"Lisa," Tatsuya voiced out, "I thought you're supposed to return to your class."
"Well, I came to say hello to my beloved senpai. Can't I?" Lisa teased. To be perfectly honest, the rumors around him and Lisa being paired together was kind of annoying to him, but that wasn't enough to push away the young junior. It's not that he didn't like her, but their relationship wasn't even that far ahead yet.
"Boo, miss idol is here," Eikichi teased, "Probably trying to sell the next cover magazine with her beloved senpai to paparazzi."
"She is a bit forceful. Maybe Mishina was correct?" Jun agreed before Lisa shook it off.
"Hey, don't say it like that!" Lisa replied with her face bright red, "We're not there... yet."
"OOOOOO!" Eikichi and Jun exclaimed in unison, which received a few scolding from Lisa, watched silently by Tatsuya who finally cracked a smile at the scene.
"Actually, I came to pick 'something'," Lisa said when the situation dimmed down, "From Suou-senpai, actually."
"Huh? But I took nothing from you," Tatsuya asked, which made Lisa pouted her face in anger.
"You know? That thing?" Lisa suddenly fidgeted her uniform button. Eikichi and Jun immediately voiced out, implying that they understood her words and pointed Tatsuya at his surroundings. Following their stares, Tatsuya watched some of the students and finally understood.
Often, on graduation day, the man who is in love with the woman will give the second button of their uniform to them as a sign of confession of love, as the button is said to be the closest to the heart. In order word, Lisa was waiting for the 'confession' from him.
"Hmm, since you want it so much..." Tatsuya was ready to pluck his second button before Eikichi and Jun stopped him.
"No, you silly! You're supposed to give it with love, not because she wanted it!" Jun advised.
"Tell me, how do you view Lisa?" Eikichi asked.
"I guess she's fine..."
Eikichi and Jun palmed their faces hard. Finally, Jun decided to be serious.
"Okay, do you love anyone?"
No. The answer was simple. But before he could answer, a loud commotion was heard around them after watching the entire scene.
"Lisa, take my button!"
"My muse, take this!"
"My button!"
A group of men crowded Lisa, ignoring the three men at the side.
"Guys? A little help here!" Lisa called for help. But the three of them merely stood there, not wanting to be crowded as well.
This was where the wheel of fate spun too far than what was intended.
From outside the gate, a woman appeared to be walking towards the school. But the moment she reached the gate, she turned away, running around in a circle to make her decision.
"Is this really alright?"
Maya Amano mused to herself. Dressing herself to not appeal to anyone with her dark outfit, she thought she could at least see him from afar. She was truthfully tempted by Yukino's suggestion in seeing him, seeing as she made a promise to herself to stay away from him. Which was why, at the very least, all she wanted was to see him just a little. This morning, it took her a long time to decide how to see him.
At the same time, Tatsuya, Lisa, Eikichi, and Jun were trying to find some good spot for them.
"We don't need to do this now. We can do it after school somewhere else," Lisa said.
"No," Jun shook his head as he uncovered the lens of his camera, "My father said that we can't waste an important moment like this. It has to be now."
"Wait, your dad's here, isn't he?" Eikichi asked.
"Inside the building, doing some 'experiment' of his own. Luckily, I don't have to take part. Hmm, how about here?"
Jun pointed to a spot near the school gate on the right side of the school's banner.
"All we need is someone to take the photo," Tatsuya said.
Maya, who was trying to walk back towards the school, immediately saw Lisa and Jun observing the outside of the school. The moment Jun's eyes almost caught her, Maya jumped into the bush in reflex, trying to keep her presence here a secret.
Lisa and Jun didn't notice them. Instead, they choose a stranger to take their photos for them. Positioning themselves in front of the camera, the four of them were ready.
"We're a little too far apart. Let's get closer!"
"You heard the lady! Come closer, Jun!"
"Mishina, don't squeeze me in between!"
"Guys, please look at the camera. Lisa, what are you-"
At the last second, Lisa tangled her arms around Tatsuya just as the shutter sound was heard.
SNAP!
"Lisa, don't do that! I almost fell," Tatsuya said.
"Sorry..." Lisa apologized, before she suddenly touched his neck and temple, "Tatsuya, you're burning hot!"
"He's always 'hot'," Jun smiled cheekily.
"No, I mean your body is hot!"
"Don't worry, it's just a slight fever."
"Do you need an infirmary?"
"I can last until graduation's over."
Maya, who was inside the bush, exited slowly until she saw Eikichi and Jun left the school. Seeing as it was her chance, Maya entered the school but failed to see him.
This was the point where she should have put a stop to her plan. This was the point Maya should have turned around. Even if she failed as a friend for not attending his graduation, it was for his own sake.
"They're gathering at the hall."
She heard a stranger say on the phone. Of course, they should be there at this time. Normally, Maya was satisfied. But just one more time, it might be safe to see him from afar at the hall.
For some reason, she knew she wanted this the moment she set foot inside.
And she was satisfied at last.
From afar, she saw Tatsuya's face amidst the crowd in the hall. Although Tatsuya seemed pale for some reason, he was doing fine, just as she hoped it would be.
Afterward, she wandered the school for another blast from the past to her school days. It was lively, despite so many terrible tragedies that happened in this school. The teachers were well, especially Jun's father, who near the hallway was giving free trials to the walking-by graduated students to draw something on the piles of canvas next beside him. Seeing as he recognized Maya, she volunteered to draw half of the painting as instructed.
Then she left home.
That was it.
Until she received news that Tatsuya fainted at school right after she left due to high fever. Afterward, Tatsuya began his vision of her after that day. Almost too coincidental...
Nanjo's Memorial Hospital
"You saw me..."
Tatsuya said at last after listening to Maya's story. He clenched his head in pain, trying to remember that moment again.
"I remembered taking photos with Lisa, Jun, and Eikichi. But afterward, I was so dizzy with a fever that I failed to remember anything after that. You're saying, I could have seen you, but I forget?"
"Katsuya told me you didn't remember much about what you did that day after the graduation began," Maya said, "But it doesn't change the fact that you somehow remembered me after that."
"I didn't know..."
"Why would you? It's not easy to tell anyone."
"No wonder you choose to reject me the first time I proposed to you."
"I know. If you didn't remember me, maybe you won't be the 'vessel', and I won't be the 'sacrifice'. All of this could be avoided."
"And nobody knows until today?"
Maya shook her head.
"I deserved this... I deserved to be sacrificed..."
"Maya, no. I... I don't regret choosing you-"
Tatsuya widened his eyes on the sudden scenery before him. A dark smoke, a haze, a fog -called it whatever it pleased- came out of her body. It was too grotesque to be called a normal fog.
Was it the effect of her being a 'sacrifice'?
'What is happening to her?!' Tatsuya thought, thinking of a way to help her. It was as if hands of hell were coming to take her away. Finally, he decided to hug her as the last resort. Thankfully, the black fog dispersed, leaving her to be thrown off guard and snapped out of her mind.
"I don't blame you, I don't blame you... I never regret choosing you."
Maya was quiet, too quiet. But he let it slid and allowed her some moment of privacy.
He left the room, fidgeting his lighter for a moment for his own, private deduction. If only he could remember that scene better... Was there a hint in Maya's story?
Wait.
Hold it.
There's something she said that attracted his attention, something about Jun's father letting the students drawing something on the canvas.
Painting?
"Ah!"
The painting in Kazuma Kaneda's house!
"Could it be?!" Tatsuya tried to piece together the puzzle before, from the hallway, came a loud footstep approaching him, interrupting his thoughts. Normally, he would be angry to have his deduction session disturbed, but his anger boiled down when he turned to see it was Jun running towards him.
"Tatsuya, what happened to Maya?" Jun, still in his teaching uniform, asked while catching his breath. He seemed as if he came here rushing.
"She tried to cut her artery yesterday, but she's fine for now-"
"No. Something else," Jun said, "A while ago, maybe half an hour earlier, using Father Time's power, I sensed a huge negative energy from Maya."
He remembered the dark fog coming from Maya. For her sake, he decided to tell the whole story, all the way to the truth that Maya kept.
"I see, it makes sense now," Jun nodded, "I think with this, we can pinpoint the cause of Maya's bond with you. This is important. I don't see my father that often, but I will ask him about the paintings."
"Thank you," Tatsuya clenched his head, "Just... I need a way to stop Maya's suffering. There must be a way..."
He didn't care if Jun saw him in this state. It was too severe for her now. She might not make it till this Friday.
Then, Jun began to speak.
"There's... actually a way."
Hearing those words, Tatsuya faced Jun and grabbed his shoulders, "There is?! You should have told me-"
"You won't like it," Jun reaffirmed him, but Tatsuya ignored that warning.
"I don't care! Just tell me!"
Anything should be fine at this point, he didn't care. All he needed is a chance. Sensing his determination, Jun began.
"The reason Maya was chosen as a sacrifice is that she was the closest person to you on the other side. That means if she never met you, and you didn't remember her at all, she won't be a sacrifice."
"Just get straight to the point, Jun."
"What I mean is, if we can prevent you from meeting each other, Maya will survive."
It was then, Tatsuya understood completely his words when Jun tapped on his watch.
"Time travel..." Tatsuya concluded, "You're talking about traveling to the past and stop me from meeting Maya."
"That's why I said you won't like it. If you change the past, everything you have done together will disappear for good; EVERYTHING, including your love, your memories, your honeymoon, your marriage, and of course..."
The image of his son appeared on his face.
"Matsuya. Matsuya will never be born."
"Do you understand now? You have a choice, a hard one. Will you:
Remain here, waiting for a chance to save Maya with the risk of losing her?
or,
Return to the past and save her, at the cost of everything between you two, including your son?
Pick carefully."
A/N: That should wrap up this chapter for now! My update this time is quite early. Conflict is severe this time. Refer to chapter 29 to see Maya finding Eriko's letter for the first time, the same letter Naoya read in this chapter. Lisa finally steps up her game, taunting Maya to break her mentally. What is Takahisa Kandori's secret in his diary that he had Ame Hitoshi from Inaba built a place to hide it?
Tatsuya had one alternative, a choice impossible to make without tears and loss. What will Tatsuya choose?